1343 N. Wells, (312)335-1962, shopsarajane.com 
(No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for women, a small section of baby gifts. Designers: Lewis Cho, Amanda Uprichard, Level 99, nu, Yumi Kim, Rebecca Beeson, Billy Blues, Akiko, Orion, Single. Owner: Sara Jane, who worked in wholesale before opening her own urban chic boutique. Vibe: A clean display of merchandise with careful spotlighting. Fitting rooms are tucked behind swooping cream curtains topped with chocolate fringe. At Sara Jane, fun with fashion prevails: “We try not to take ourselves too seriously in here,” Jane says. Price Range: Expensive with some moderate accessories. The Look: A taste for off-the-beaten path designers. Retro cuts mixed with modern accessories. Old-fashioned and girly—think lacy collars and silky, pastel camisoles. Shopper’s Perks: The staff prides itself on honest feedback.
3657 N. Southport, (773)525-6870 (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Clothing and accessories for men and women. Designers: Big Star, Joe’s Jeans, Rebecca Beeson, Michael Stars and 525 American. Owner: Jennifer Dulhanty took over the old Shane space after a twenty-two-year fashion-filled career. Past gigs include a sales-directing stint for the Stylemax show at the Merchandise Mart. Vibe: Taking a cue from its name, the vibrant cerulean walls give shoppers an instant uplift. Price Range: Moderate. The Look: Comfy and airy, yet still uber-stylish. With a focus on premium denim, Cerulean 1 is a great spot to pick up a new pair of soon-to-be-favorite jeans. Shopper’s Perks: This shop has partnerships with neighboring businesses, meaning a purchase at Cerulean 1 can lead to a discounted mani/pedi or a coupon for a fellow boutique. The Thing for Spring: Novelty tees from Rebecca Beeson and lightweight knits and summer sweaters from 525 American.
2036 W. Division, (773)227-3772, shoppleinaire.com (No Ratings Yet)
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Goods: Women’s clothing and accessories Designers: Hale Bob, Joe’s Jeans, Paige Premium, Velvet, Poleci, Rebecca Beeson. Owners: Jacquie Barrios and Jill Carroll are former flight attendants who’d always dreamed of having their own shop. Vibe: The airy storefront is soaked in sunlight and capped with classy touches—look for chandeliers in each of the spacious fitting rooms. The approachable sales team never makes shoppers feel overwhelmed or pressured. Price Range: Moderate-Expensive. The Look: You’re the ultimate flirtatious femme: somehow, you manage to make basics look stylish and sexy. Shopper’s Perks: Around holiday time, a select few highest-volume shoppers receive a very generous gift certificate.
Cerulean 1 on North Southport Avenue may have only been open two weeks, but owner Jennifer Dulhanty has been in the fashion industry for twenty-two years.
“I used to work wholesale,” she says. Later serving as the sales director of Chicago’s Stylemax show at the Merchandise Mart, Dulhanty readily accepted the offer to take over the spot formerly known as Shane. “When he made the decision to sell, he called me, and I bit,” Dulhanty recalls. A wise choice, considering the speed at which items are flying off the shelves.
“All my pieces are all gone!” she exclaims, perusing her own racks. With a built-in clientele of former Shane shoppers, Dulhanty didn’t need to work too hard to gain an instant following. “All [the clients were] familiar with Shane,” she says. And while Dulhanty started with all-new stock, she made the decision to keep some of the same brands. “Why mess with a good thing, as they say?” she asks.
Named for the color, however, Cerulean I’s main attraction is denim—premium denim. “I think that’s important,” Dulhanty says. “Everybody’s wearing denim out for everything.” So which brand is best? “Big Star,” she answers without hesitation. “Their fit is amazing for both men and women.” Dulhanty is also a fan of Joe’s Jeans. “Aren’t they cute?” she asks, holding up a pair of wide-leg drawstring pants.
Also featuring items like 525 America hoodies and Rebecca Beeson tanks, Dulhanty says she considers her store the “most casual on the street,” although she expects to get into more high-end tops for women. “We already have them in men’s,” she adds. For now, Michael Stars is the number-one brand in the store. “Michael Stars’ dresses are fabulous,” Dulhanty says. “[We have them] coming in for fall with metallic threads in them.”
Clearly, the shop swap hasn’t hurt Southport’s style scene one bit. But for those still mourning the loss of Shane, take comfort. Dulhanty says she isn’t really planning on changing much. “Everyone on the street has a niche,” she says. “Mine is the more casual. I see us continuing to be successful.” (Nicole Briese)
Cerulean I, 3657 North Southport, (773)525-6870
